The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, popularly known as the Taskforce, has intensified its crackdown on illegal commercial motorcycle operations and environmental violations, impounding 309 motorcycles and clearing several major roads of traffic obstructions, illegal structures, and street trading.
The large-scale enforcement exercise, carried out along the ECOWAS Road corridor, is part of the Lagos State Government’s renewed drive to enforce the ban on commercial motorcycles operating on highways and other restricted routes while restoring order, improving security, and ensuring a cleaner environment.
In a statement released by the agency’s spokesperson, Gbade Abdulraheem, the taskforce operation was coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, with support from the Lagos State Police Command, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture and curb criminal activities often linked to illegal commercial operations.
The exercise covered key locations, including Orile-Iganmu Bus Stop, Suuru-Alaba Bus Stop, Mile 2 Underbridge, Mazamaza Bus Stop, Festac First Gate, Iyana-Ira, Abule-Ado, Alakija Bus Stop, Iyana-Iba, Alaba Rago, Old Ojo Road and Okoko Bus Stop.
During the operation, Taskforce operatives impounded 309 commercial motorcycles found operating in violation of the state’s transport regulations. They also dismantled illegal kiosks, makeshift stalls, shanties and unapproved roadside structures while removing abandoned household items, indiscriminately displayed building materials, domestic animals and other obstructions that had encroached on public spaces.
The exercise, according to the agency, restored the free flow of traffic and improved environmental sanitation across the affected corridors.
The Taskforce disclosed that all impounded motorcycles would be processed for forfeiture to the Lagos State Government through the courts in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
Speaking after the operation, the Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, described the level of environmental abuse and lawlessness along the corridor as disturbing, noting that illegal ticketing, street trading and the activities of recalcitrant commercial motorcycle operators had created conditions that encourage criminality, traffic congestion and environmental degradation.
He said the enforcement exercise was aimed at denying criminal elements the opportunity to operate under the cover of illegal commercial activities while supporting ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other security threats across the state.
“No stone will be left unturned in our determination to restore sanity. It is high time criminal elements operating in Lagos State desist from these unlawful activities or relocate. We will continue to enforce the law without fear or favour to guarantee a safer, cleaner and more orderly Lagos for everyone,” Akerele said.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining enforcement operations across Lagos until full compliance with existing environmental and transport laws is achieved, warning that violators would continue to face the full weight of the law.